PSU?

[Bossa]

Well Bosseanna,

I was wondering if it is realistically possible to run a new system based on an AMD Athlon XP with a 200Watt PSU? I have a perfectly good 200W PSU and im not keen on buying a new one(parts are hard enough to come by in Ireland, if i wanted a decent one id have to order it from the UK http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif Such are the problems of living in a country like this) I realise that i may have to bite the bullit in the future if i wish to add more expansion cards, drives etc but at the moment its not going to be hugely elaborate with regard to power usage.

Athlon XP 1500+
Thermaltake Volcano 5 4550rpm Active heatsink
Soltek VIA 266a MOBO
Abit Geforce2 MX400 64Mb AGP graphics
Seagate Barracuda 60Gb 7200rpm
256 Mb DDR2100
16x DVD-Rom
Hayes Accura V90 PCI Modem

I hope i havent forgoten anything cos im typing it off the top of my head.

I realise that AMD reccomend at least a 250watt supply and generally a 300watt, are they being overly conservative?

In addition, is it possible that running everything on a power supply with too low a capacity migh damage the components or would it just not work?

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Bill Gates: "If it aint broke, it doesnt have enough features"

Ralph Wiggum:"Me fail English? Thats unpossible"

[This message has been edited by Bossa (edited 01-15-2002).]

[andyswork@beci.net]

Yes the power supply is too small, bite the bullet and get a 400 watt or 450 watt. Later on you will be glad you did.

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One day I will be a pro, Thanks Andy

[wiltrot]

Indeed, without a doubt, you bet. Here's a nice place to go shopping. http://www.frozencpu.com/index.html

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http://trotter.infopages.net/

[Pianorak]

Bossa <<if i wanted a decent one id have to order it from the UK >>

Please do order from the UK. British manufacturing industry is reportedly in a dire state and needs every order it can get. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif


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The PC Guide ueber alles – with Google a close second.

[mjc]

Pianorak...I suppose the situation over there is about the same as here....most electronic parts are not "home grown" but made somewhere else, like China....so it doesn't really matter if he orders it from the UK or not, the money is still going to Bejing... http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/mad.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif

Bossa,

Just turning on an Athlon XP will consume about 50W to 80W, that doesn't count any fans, drives, video cards, or anything else...and first turning on the machine is when the most power is used....and yes running it on an under-powered power supply will lead to damage: most likely the fans will be under-powered so they will not turn as fast, it will produce more heat on its own (overworked power supplies get HOT), and quite possibly lead to early drive failures...all of which adds up to a short lived system, especially with most AMD chips as they are particularly sensitive to excessive heat.

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[Hobit]

Cheers Bossa,

I was wondering if it is realistically possible to run a new system based on an AMD Athlon XP with a 200Watt PSU? ---NO!---

Do consider a "switching" power supply @ 350-400 watts with line conditioning as it will only use the wattage that your system demands as well as provide clean power to critical components.

Nice system it deserves a good P.S.

Ta,

Hobit